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PUBL1 


UBA 


FACT  BOOK 
NUMBER  ONE 


vJL,  in,  wis .         / 


IW^^fam 


s 


The 

REPUBLIC 

of 

CUBA 


Four  Books  of  Facts  Published  for 
the  Benefit  of  Those  Who  De- 
sire Reliable  Information 
as  to  Existing  Condi- 
tions  in  this 
Interesting 
Island. 


Copyright  1916 

by  the 

BANKERS'    LOAN    &    SECURITIES  COMPANY 

New  Orleans,  Louisiana,  U.S.A. 


HL  library 

I  C7  UNIVERSITY  OF  (  ipvNIA 

\rk     D  1  SANTA  BARBARA 


Dedicated  to  the  men 
who  have  served  in  the 
upbuilding  of  a  mod- 
ern civilization  where 
chaos  formerly  ruled. 


Compiled  by 

GEORGE  A.  SIMMS 


AUTHOR'S  NOTE 

THESE  four  small  volumes  including  "The 
Republic  of  Cuba,"  "Industrial  Cuba,"  "Agri- 
cultural Cuba,"  and  "Cuban  Investments,"  form 
an  attempt  to  put  in  findable  shape  many  of  those 
facts  so  often  sought  for,  unsuccessfully,  regarding 
one  of  the  most  interesting  lands  adjacent  to  the 
United  States. 

Much  time,  research  and  considerable  money 
have  been  expended  in  the  compilation  of  facts 
herein  contained  and  we  would  be  derelict  in  duty 
failing  to  publicly  recognize  the  many  who  have 
assisted,  directly  and  by  reference,  in  supplying 
the  information  presented. 

Mr.  George  Reno,  Chief  of  Bureau  of  Informa- 
tion, Department  of  Agriculture,  Commerce  and 
Labor  of  Cuba;  Mr.  George  Bradt,  of  The 
Havana  Post;  Mr.  Edward  F.  O'Brien  of  the 
Times  of  Cuba  and  members  of  the  Advertising 
Club  of  Cuba  have  materially  assisted  in  this 
respect. 

The  works  of  Grab  Dr.  Manuel  F.  Alfonso  and 
T.  Valero  Martinez,  and  H.  A.  Himely,  also  the 
writings  of  Robert  Wiles,  Mulhall,  and  Willett 
&  Gray  have  supplied  much  valuable  information 
in  the  preparation  of  this  work. 

If  it  but  serves  to  increase  the  interest  of  those 
who  heretofore  have  known  little  of  the  Cuban 
Republic  we  will  feel  that  our  efforts  have  been 
well  expended. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


CUBA 

YOUNGEST  of  the  republics  and  occupying 
an  area  a  little  larger  than  that  of  Indiana, 
Pennsylvania  or  Ohio,  and  not  as  large  as  New 
York,  Illinois  or  Wisconsin,  Cuba  has  shown  a 
greater  ratio  of  development  in  its  limited  history 
than  any  other  country  on  the  globe. 

Its  population  is  about  the  same  as  that  of 
California,  Indiana,  Iowa,  or  Wisconsin. 

Laid  down  on  the  map  of  the  United  States 
Cuba  would  extend  from  New  York  City  almost 
to  Cincinnati  and  it  varies  in  width  from  11  to 
1 60  miles. 

The  history  of  Cuba  is  replete  with  romance 
and  interest.  Since  its  discovery  in  1492  it  has 
been  fought  for  by  the  nations  of  the  world  as 
the  prize  of  the  Caribbean.  For  more  than  300 
years  its  industries  were  built  up  only  to  be 
periodically  demolished  by  internal  and  external 
strife. 

In  1895  tne  fi'ia'  rebellion  against  Spain  broke 
out  and  after  much  devastation  ended  in  the 
Spanish-American  War  which  resulted  in  the 
establishment  of  the  Cuban  Republic. 

This  period  of  strife  was  the  worst  in  the  entire 
history  of  Cuba.  Property  was  burned  and 
destroyed,  cattle  were  killed  and  reprisals  of  every 
sort  put  into  effect  for  the  purpose  of  cutting 
off  the  opponent's  livelihood. 

The  naval  battle  at  Santiago,  on  the  3rd  of 
July,  1898,  forever  settled  the  question  of  Spanish 
dominion  over  Cuba.  The  conditions  of  peace 
presented  by  the  United  States  were  accepted  by 
Spain  on  August  12th,  and  the  Paris  Protocol, 
prepared  on  October  1st  of  the  same  year,  was 
signed  on  December  10th. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


With  the  withdrawal  of  the  Spanish  troops 
those  of  the  United  States  and  of  Cuba  herself, 
were  distributed  to  preserve  order  and  quiet  and 
to  organize  departments  which  guaranteed  a  good 
and  safe  government. 

In  July  1900,  the  United  States  military  gov- 
ernor of  Cuba  decreed  an  election  of  delegates  to 
a  constitutional  convention  to  be  held  the  follow- 
ing September  and  to  arrange  for  an  election  by 
the  people  under  the  constitution  so  framed. 
The  election  was  held  on  September  15,  1900, 
and  in  less  than  three  months  the  constitution 
was  completed  on  lines  very  similar  to  those  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

On  December  31st,  1901,  an  election  of  officers 
for  the  new  republic  was  held  with  the  result  that 
Estrada  Palma  was  chosen  as  the  first  President 
of  the  Cuban  Republic. 

On  the  24th  of  March  following,  the  United 
States  began  the  withdrawal  of  troops  and  thus 
began  the  real  establishment  of  the  Cuban 
Republic. 

The  Palma  administration  continued  from  May 
20,  1902,  until  October  13,  1906.  The  policy  of 
the  Government  did  not  satisfy  the  Liberal  Party, 
and  soon  after  the  second  election,  an  uprising 
occurred  which  resulted  in  the  United  States 
being  solicited  to  intervene,  which  it  did  under 
the  direction  of  President  Roosevelt,  who  ap- 
pointed a  Governor  General  of  the  Island.  In 
this  second  intervention,  however,  the  United 
States  Government  took  only  the  position  of 
preserving  order.  On  the  29th  of  January,  1909, 
General  Jose  Miguel  Gomez  took  the  chair  as  the 
Second  President  of  Cuba — the  inauguration  be- 
ing held  on  the  birthday  of  Jose  Marti,  called  the 
"Apostle  of  Cuban  Liberty." 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


At  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  Genera]  Jose 
Miguel  Gomez,  elections  were  again  held,  wherein 
the  Liberal  Party  nominated  Dr.  Alfredo  Zayas, 
and  the  Conservative  Party,  General  Mario  G. 
Menocal — the  latter  being  elected  President  on 
November  i,  1912,  his  term  of  office  continuing 
until  May  20,  1917. 

THE  SYSTEM  OF  GOVERNMENT 

Insofar  as  local  conditions  of  Cuba  permit,  the 
system  of  government  is  modelled  on  that  of  the 
United  States.  There  are  a  President  and  Vice- 
President,  who  serve  terms  of  four  years.  The 
President  appoints  a  cabinet  of  nine  members,  as 
follows:  Secretary  of  State,  Secretary  of  the 
Treasury,  Secretary  of  the  Executive  Depart- 
ment, Secretary  of  Justice,  Secretary  of  the 
Interior,  Secretary  of  Public  Works,  Secretary  of 
Public  Instruction,  Secretary  of  Agriculture,  Com- 
merce  and  Labor,  and    Secretary  of  Sanitation. 

At  the  general  election,  preceding  the  expiration 
of  the  presidential  term  of  office,  each  of  the  six 
provinces  elects  a  number  of  presidential  and  vice- 
presidential  electors,  equal  to  the  combined  num- 
ber of  senators  and  representatives  to  which  each 
province  is  entitled,  and  a  third  as  many  alter- 
nates. This  body  proceeds  to- the  election  of  the 
President  and  Vice-President. 

The  Senate  consists  of  24  members,  4  from  each 
of  the  provinces,  elected  for  terms  of  eight  years— 
one-half  of  the  number  being  elected  every  four 
years.  The  Vice-President  is  the  presiding 
officer,  but  to  provide  for  contingencies,  the 
Senate  also  elects  one  of  its  members  to  that  office 
and  he  is  considered  to  be  the  leader  of  the  body, 
especially  in  the  absence  of  the  Vice-President. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


The  members  of  the  Senate  are  elected  by  the 
members  of  the  provincial  councils  and  the 
Senatorial  Electors  named  at  the  election  next 
prior  to  the  expiration  of  the  Senatorial  terms. 
These  electors,  in  each  province  are  16  in  number 
—one  half  of  whom  must  be  elected  from  a  list 
of  the  largest  tax  payers,  and  the  other  half  being 
men  of  prominence  and  position. 

Thus  the  body  is  made  up  of  twenty-four. 

The  House  of  Representatives  has  a  member- 
ship of  99;  the  basis  being:  1  Representative  for 
each  25,000  inhabitants.  The  members  of  the 
House  are  elected,  by  the  direct  vote  of  the 
people,  for  terms  of  4  years — one  half  of  the  body 
being  elected  each  two  years. 

Each  of  the  six  provinces  has  a  Governor  who 
resides  in  the  capital  of  the  province  and  is 
elected  for  a  term  of  four  years.  The  Governors 
are  assisted  by  a  Council  ot  eight  members  who 
serve  terms  of  four  years — four  being  elected  each 
two  years. 

There  are  103  municipal  districts  in  the 
Republic. 

TABLOID  HISTORY  OF  EXECUTIVES 

The  following  short  histories  are  calculated  to 
illustrate  the  high  character  of  those  men  in 
charge  of  Cuban  governmental  affairs.  Cuba  has 
profitted  materially  by  the  experience  of  the 
United  States  in  the  selection  of  men  at  the  head 
of  its  government  and  a  perusal  of  the  short 
historical  or  biographical  sketches  will  demon- 
strate that  only  men  of  high  executive  ability  have 
been  chosen  to  perform  the  tasks  and  to  solve  the 
problems  which  are  now  making  the  Island  Re- 
public a  power  in  world  diplomacy  and  commerce. 


PRESIDENT  MARIO  G.  MENOCAL 


11  The  Republic  of  Cuba 


MARIO  G.  MENOCAL 

President 

Mario  G.  Menocal  graduated  from  Cornell 
University  as  a  Civil  Engineer  in  the  class  of 
1888.  Shortly  afterwards  he  was  called  to  assist  his 
uncle  Aniceto  Menocal,  the  celebrated  engineer 
who  was  then  engaged  in  the  survey  of  the 
Nicaragua  Canal  route  between  the  Atlantic  and 
Pacific.  He  continued  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession  until  the  beginning  of  the  war  of 
Independence  in  the  Spring  of  1895,  when  he  at 
once  joined  the  Insurgents,  rising  rapidly  to  the 
rank  of  Colonel.  In  the  Spring  of  1896  General 
Calixto  Garcia,  operating  in  Oriente  and  Cama- 
guey  Provinces,  made  him  his  Chief  of  Staff. 

In  the  capture  of  Victoria  de  las  Tunas,  and 
of  Guaimaro  by  General  Calixto  Garcia,  Menocal 
so  distinguished  himself  that  he  was  promoted  to 
a  General  of  Brigade  and  sent  with  his  command 
into  the  Western  end  of  the  Island,  where  the 
struggle  for  supremacy  was  day  by  day  growing 
more  serious. 

The  close  of  the  war  found  him  in  command  of 
the  Cuban  forces  of  Havana  Province,  and  when, 
after  the  withdrawal  of  Spain's  army,  the  Ameri- 
cans took  charge  of  the  capital,  Gen.  Menocal 
was  chosen  to  assist  in  the  difficult  task  of  bringing 
order  out  of  chaos.  With  that  end  in  view  he 
visited  Washington  as  one  of  the  Cuban  Delegates 
to  the  Intervention  Conference.  On  his  return 
Gen.  Leonard  A.  Wood  made  him  Chief  of  Police. 

The  almost  abandoned  industrial  interests  of 
the  Island  at  this  time  were  clamoring  for  men 
of  practical  ability,  hence  it  is  not  strange  that 
a  man  of  Gen.  Menocal's  technical  skill,  experi- 
ence and  acquaintance  with  the  world  was  offered 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  12 

substantial  inducement  to  ally  himself  with  the 
sugar  industry  which  for  over  half  a  century  has 
been  the  chief  source  of  Cuba's  wealth. 

The  Republic  was  apparently  doing  well  under 
the  guidance  of  "Don  Tomas,"  as  President 
Pal  ma  was  called  in  Cuba;  peace,  order  and 
prosperity  seemeci  assured  for  a  long  time  to 
come,  so  Gen.  Menocal  went  to  Puerto  Padre 
in  Oriente  and  there,  as  General  Manager  for 
the  Cuban  American  Sugar  Co.,  helped  build 
"Chaparra,"  one  of  the  greatest  Centrals  in  the 
world.  These  were  followed  by  "Tinguaro," 
"Nueva  Luisa,"  "Constancia,"  "San  Manuel," 
"Las  Delicias,"  "Merceditas"  and  "Unidad." 
These  include  the  greatest  sugar  estates  and  mills 
in  existence,  in  whose  direction  President  Menocal 
still  retains  a  large  interest,  which  is  said  to 
bring   him    an  income  of  $100,000  a  year. 

When  the  life,  or  permanency  of  the  Republic, 
was  threatened  by  the  uprising  of  1906,  Gen. 
Menocal  went  at  once  to  Havana  and  endeavored 
to  bring  about  peace  through  mediation  between 
the  party  in  power  and  the  Liberals  in  the  field. 
Before  anything  was  accomplished,  however, 
Theodore  Roosevelt  sent  his  Secretary  of  War  to 
Cuba  who  arranged  matters  according  to  his  own 
ideas,  and  General  Menocal  returned  to  Chaparra. 

General  Menocal  was  elected  in  the  campaign  of 
1912  and  was  inaugurated  President  of  the  Re- 
public of  Cuba,  on  May  20,  1913.  Owing  to  the 
number  of  Liberal  members  of  the  Congress  hold- 
ing over,  the  President  found  himself  on  several 
occasions  absolutely  powerless  to  carry  out  many 
important  measures  which  he  believed  essential 
to  the  Republic's  best  interests.  The  opposition 
seemed  determined  to  block  all  plans  of  the  ad- 
ministration by  arbitrarily  refusing  to  permit  a 


13  The  Republic  of  Cuba 

quorum  in  either  branch  of  Congress.  This  first 
became  manifest  when  the  President  asked  for  a 
loan  of  $15,000,000.00  with  which  to  continue 
work  suspended  in  the  streets  of  Havana  for  lack 
of  funds  in  the  treasury. 

Days  passed  into  weeks  with  Congress  still 
refusing  to  meet.  In  this  emergency,  Menocal 
called  Dr.  Alfredo  Zayas,  ex-Vice-President  of 
Cuba  and  leader  of  a  large  group  of  the  Liberal 
party.  After  listening  to  the  President's  state- 
ment of  the  facts,  and  realizing  the  actual  neces- 
sity for  action,  he  sent  word  to  his  followers  in 
Congress  that  a  quorum  must  be  formed,  and  the 
loan  authorized  at  once,  since  the  welfare  of  the 
country  demanded  it.  Congress  met,  and  in 
spite  of  the  opposition,  offered  by  what  is  known 
as  the  "Miguelista"  branch  of  the  Liberals,  the 
bill  was  passed  by  a  good  majority. 

In  the  matter  of  national  budget,  also,  the 
Conservative  Administration  was  sorely  perplexed 
and  embarrassed  by  the  attitude  of  Congress 
whose  members  simply  ignored  the  urgent 
demand  for  action.  Again  Dr.  Zayas  rose  to 
the  occasion  and  compelled  the  opposition  to 
act  favorably  which  they  immediately  proceeded 
to  do  by  passing  the  first  budget  bill  that  had 
been  enacted  in  four  years. 

The  Liberal  leader  has  been  severely  criticized 
by  members  of  his  own  party  and  was  accused  of 
selling  out  to  the  Conservatives.  In  the  estima- 
tion of  thinking  people,  however,  he  is  given 
credit  for  a  sensible  and  truly  patriotic  attitude 
from  which  the  country  at  large  has  benefitted 
and  which  undoubtedly  places  him  in  the  category 
of  statesmen  who  have  both  foresight  and  ability. 

In  the  selection  of  his  Cabinet,  all  of  which, 
with  one  exception,  were  men  of  his  own  choice, 


The  Republic  <>f  Cuba 


11 


President  Menocal  displayed  excellent  judgment. 
Taken  as  a  whole,  it  would  he  difficult  to  find  in 
Cuba  men  more  earnest,  energetic,  capable  and 
conscientious  than  those  who,  as  Chiefs  of  the 
different  Departments,  co-operate  with  him  in 
the  direction  of  public  affairs. 


DR.  ENRIQUE  JOSE  VARONA 

Vice-President 

r.  Enrique  Jose  Varona,  one 
of  Cuba's  most  distinguished 
scholars  and  philosophers,  who 
represents,  perhaps  better  than 
any  one  else  in  the  Island, 
those  sound,  sane  ami  safe 
views  of  conservative  govern- 
ment, was  Gen.  Menocal's  running  mate  and  was 
elected  Vice-President  of  the  Republic  with  him. 
To  one  who  dislikes  the  turmoil,  stress  and 
frequent  bitterness  of  political'  life,  the  position 
which  he  occupies  has  less  annoyance  than  most 
offices  within  the  gift  of  the  people.  Any  country 
might  well  be  proud  of  Dr.  Varona,  who,  although 
not  what  we  would  call  a  fighter,  has  nevertheless 
the  courage  of  his  convictions  and  the  moral 
Stamina  to  not  only  preach  good  precepts,  but 
to  live  up  to  them. 


15 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


DR.  RAFAEL  MONTORO 

Secretary  of  the  Executive  Department 

S  dean  of  the  Executive  Coun- 
cil stands  out  prominently 
"that  Grand  Old  Man  of 
Cuba,"  Dr.  Rafael  Montoro, 
tor  many  years  Cuba's  Min- 
ister at  the  Court  of  St. 
James,  where,  in  spite  of  our 
minor  political  position,  in 
comparison  with  the  great  "world  powers,"  he  was 
invariably  accorded  that  preferment  which  true 
worth  and  genuine  culture  alone  can  command. 
Dr.  Montoro  is  today  Secretary  of  the  Execu- 
tive branch  of  the  Cuban  Government,  and  on 
his  shoulders  falls  the  weight  of  many  of  the  young 
Republic's  knotty  problems. 

PABLO  DESVERNINE 

Secretary  of  State 

'HE  President  chose  the  dis- 
tinguished lawyer,  Cosme  de 
la  Torriente,  for  his  Secretary 
of  State,  but  ill  health  within 
a  few  months  compelled  him 
to  resign  in  favor  of  Dr.  Pablo 
Desvernine,  former  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  at  Washington  and  probably  the 
best  known  Cuban  in  the  United  States,  not  alone 
because  he  practiced  law  for  seven  years  in 
New  York  City,  but  because  his  fundamental 
knowledge  of  all  civilized  codes  has  compelled 
recognition  throughout  the  judicial  world.  Dr. 
Desvernine  is  a  master  of  some  five  or  six  lan- 
guages, which  tact  is  most  serviceable  to  him 
in    receiving   representatives  of   foreign   nations. 


DR. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


n; 


DR.  LEOPOUX)  CANCIO 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury 

r.    Lkopoldo  Can'cio,    lawyer 
and    statistician,    was    made 
Secretary  of   the  Treasury,  a 
position  that  he  had  filled  with 
credit  under  the  Government 
of     the     First     Intervention. 
Probably  no    one  in    Cuba  is 
better  versed  than   he  in  the 
intricacies  of  those  financial  and  industrial  prob- 
lems which  unavoidably  beset  a  young  Republic. 


COL.  AURELIO  HEVIA 

Secretary  of  the  Interior  on  Government 

ol.  Aurelio  Hevia  had  been  a 
close  personal  friend  of  the 
President  during  the  War  of 
I  ndependence,  and, with  Cosme 
de  la  Torriente,  took  upon 
his  shoulders  the  management 
of  his  presidential  campaign. 
Col.  Hevia  was  not  unknown 
in  political  life,  having  been  Assistant  Secretary 
of  State  under  President  Palma,  but  his  forte 
seemed  to  be  organization,  and  the  management 
of  men,  either  individually  or  in  parties,  hence 
it  is  that  the  nepartment  of  Government,  which 
controls  the  administration  of  provinces  and 
municipalities  throughout  the  Island,  seems  to 
be,  for  him,  a  congenial  berth,  nifficulties  to 
Hevia  only  relieve  life  of  monotony. 


17 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


DR.  CRISTOBAL  DE  LA  GUARDIA 

Secretary  of  Justice 

Dr.  Cristobel  de  la  Guardia 
did  not  come  from  strictly 
conservative  ranks,  but  his 
never  failing  urbanity,  his  de- 
lightfully broad-minded  de- 
mocracy, combined  with  rare 
judicial  qualities,  have  made 
him  a  very  popular  Secretary  of  Justice. 

COL.  JOSE  R.  VILLALON 

Secretary  of  Public  Works 

INCE  Spain  departed  from 
the  Island,  fate  has  twice 
decreed  that  Col.  Jose  R. 
Villalon  should  be  Secretary 
of  Public  Works.  Gen.  Wood 
first  found  him,  and  remarked: 
"That  man  is  a  wonder  of  mar- 
velously  directed  and  persistent  energy;  if  there  is 
another  like  him  in  Cuba,  I  have  not  met  him." 
Villalon  graduated  from  Lehigh  University  in 
the  same  class  with  Senator  Root  of  New  York. 
He  loves  his  profession  as  an  engineer  and  did 
not  aspire  to  a  Cabinet  position.  When  the 
psychological  moment  arrived,  his  life-long  friend, 
President  Menocal,  smiled  at  his  refusal  and 
said:  "Find  me  another  competent  and  fit  for 
the  position,  and  I  may  let  you  go."  The  other 
was  not  found,  and  so  Villalon  is  the  head  of  a 
Department  that  is  doing  things.  If  the  money 
could  be  found,  the  country's  public  works  would 
go  ahead  at  aeroplane  speed. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


18 


GEN.  EMILIO  NUNEZ 
Secretary  of  Agriculture,  Commerce  and  Labor 


^^\l*     all    the    Cabinet    positions, 
A  (1  however,    that    which    carries 

^q*  with    it    the    most  detail,    ami 

the  greatest  responsibilities,  is 
held  by  Gen.  Emilio  Nunez, 
Secretary  of  Agriculture,  Com- 
merce and  Labor.  Gen.  Nunez 
is  a  big  man,  mentally  as  well 
as  physically,  and  when  difficulties  or  complex- 
ities arise  in  any  one  of  the  score  or  more  of 
branches  into  which  his  department  is  divided, 
he  either  solves  them  on  the  spot,  or  orders  one 
of  his  bureau  chiefs  to  whip  them  into  shape  so 
they  can  be  properly  handled. 

Not  alone  agriculture,  with  its  many  depend- 
encies, such  as  forestry,  mines,  etc.,  whence, 
owing  to  the  nature  of  the  Island,  come  most  of 
Cuba's  wealth,  but  commerce,  labor,  immigration, 
patents,  trade  marks,  agricultural  schools,  experi- 
mental stations,  local  fairs  and  foreign  expositions, 
come  under  the  direction  of  Gen.  Nunez.  In  the 
great  mass  of  detail  pertaining  to  this  work,  the 
services  of  Assistant  Secretary,  Or.  Lorenzo  Arias, 
of  Pinar  del  Rio,  are  invaluable.  Nothing  secures 
the  stamp  of  his  approval  until  he  is  convinced 
of  its  worth. 


19 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


DR.  EZEQUIEL  GARCIA-ENSENAT 

Secretary  of  Public  Instruction 

R.    EZEQUIEL    GARCIA-ENSENAT 

as  Secretary  of  Public  In- 
struction, has  an  immense 
task  in  the  development  of 
Cuba's  most  crying  need. 
This  Department  is  divided 
into  two  sections;  one  has 
charge  of  preliminary  educa- 
tion and  has  under  its  control  all  the  elementary 
schools,  while  the  other  has  control  over  the  Nor- 
mal and  High  Schools,  the  University  of  Cuba,  the 
School  of  Arts  and  Crafts,  the  School  of  Painting 
and  Sculpture,  the  National  Conservatory  of 
Music  and  Declamation,  the  National  and  other 
Public  Libraries  and  the  National  Astronomical 
Observatory. 

Compared  with  the  high  illiteracy  which 
maintained  under  Spanish  rule,  much  has  been 
accomplished  along  the  lines  of  education  and 
while  much  is  to  be  desired  there  is  every  prospect 
of  Cuba  taking  its  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  well- 
educated  nations  of  the  world. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


20 


DR.  ENRIQUE  NUNEZ 
Secretary  of  Sanitation  and  Public  Charities 

kERHAPS  the  most  important 
Portfolio  of  the  entire  Cabi- 
net is  that  of  Sanitation  and 
Public  Charities,  and  also  the 
one  which  has  accomplished 
most  since  the  Independence 
of  the  Republic. 

The  Department  had  a 
unique  reputation  to  live  up  to,  having  carried 
on  the  work  begun  under  Gen.  Wood  (when 
Cuba  was  one  of  the  unhealthiest  pest-ridden 
countries  of  the  globe),  to  the  admiration  of 
all,  including  its  tutors,  and  it  was  therefore 
with  complete  confidence  that  President  Menocal 
selected  one  of  Cuba's  foremost  physicians  and 
surgeons,  Dr.  Enrique  Nunez,  to  uphold  this 
reputation  and  continue  the  great  work. 

That  Secretary  Enrique  Nunez  and  his  Depart- 
ment have  not  disappointed  this  expectation  is 
proven  first  by  the  fact  that  Cuba  is  today  the 
healthiest  country  in  the  world,  with  a  death  rate 
of  only  12.70  per  thousand  (see  statistics  on  page 
30),  and  also  one  of  the  cleanest;  and  secondly, 
by  the  very  important  practical  results  obtained 
by  the  active  campaigns  initiated  by  Dr.  Nunez 
and  his  assistant,  Dr.  Lopez  del  Valle,  against 
infantile  mortality,  the  adulteration  of  milk  and 
foodstuffs,  the  sale  and  use  of  heroic  drugs, 
opium,  morphine,  cocaine,  etc.,  and  vice  in 
general;  the  establishment  of  new  hospitals  and 
sanitariums  for  the  poor,  for  children,  for  tuber- 
culosis patients  and  subjects;  of  summer  colonies 
for.  poor  children,  clinics,  creches,  a  special 
department  of   visiting  nurses   to   the   homes  of 


21  The  Republic  of  Cuba 

poor  mothers  and  prospective  mothers,  etc.;  all 
free  to  those  who  are  unable  to  pay;  the  sanitary 
regulations  for  cafes,  bakeries,  coffee-houses,  etc., 
and  by  many  other  accomplishments  of  primary 
importance  to  the  public  health. 

Dr.  Nunez  was  born  in  Madruga  in  1872, 
graduated  as  Doctor  of  Medicine  and  Surgery 
from  the  University  of  Havana  (the  oldest  in 
the  New  World)  in  1892,  obtaining  at  the  early 
age  of  twenty  the  highest  awards  in  open  com- 
petition, given  at  the  University,  viz.:  that  of 
Extraordinary  Degree  of  Honour. 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  War  of  Independence 
in  1895,  Dr.  Nunez  at  once  gave  up  his  large 
and  lucrative  practice  and  joined  the  Army  of 
Liberation,  of  which  he  became  the  most  brilliant 
surgeon,  serving  alike  friend  and  foe,  and  was 
soon  appointed  Chief  Surgeon  of  the  Armies  of 
Generals  Calixto  Garcia  and  Mario  G.  Menocal. 

After  the  War  he  became  lecturing  professor 
at  the  University  of  Havana  and  again  took  up 
his  practice,  without  at  any  time  having  taken 
an  active  part  in  politics,  until  his  entrance  into 
President  Menocal's  Cabinet  in  19 13. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


92 


DIPLOMATIC   CORPS 
CUBAN  LEGATION  IN  WASHINGTON 

Dr.  Carlos  M.  de  Cespedes,  Envoy  Extra- 
ordinary and  Minister  Plenipotentiary. 

Manuel  de  la  Vega,  First  Secretary  of  the  Lega- 
tion. 

Jose  A.  Acosta,  Vice  Consul. 

UNITED  STATES  DIPLOMATIC  CORPS  IN  CUBA 
LEGATION  AT  HAVANA 

Hon.  William  E.  Gonzales,  Envoy  Extra- 
ordinary and  Minister  Plenipotentiary. 

Gustave  Scholle,  First  Secretary  of  Legation. 
Glenn  Stewart,  Second  Secretary  of  Legation. 
Major  Edmund  Wittenmyer,  Military  Attache. 

CUBAN  CONSULAR  CORPS  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES 

Ernesto  H.  Lienau Aguadilla,  P.  R. 

Fernando  Aleman  Vallee Arecibo,  P.  R. 

C.  H.  Whitington '. . .  Atlanta,  Ga. 

Eduardo  L.  Desvernine Baltimore,  Md. 

Rafael  Cervino Boston,  Mass. 

Rosendo  Torras Brunswick,  Ga. 

Francisco  Pena  y  Hernandez Cincinnati,  Ohio 

George  Bancroft  Murray Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Calixto  Garcia  Becerra Chicago,  111. 

C.  W.  Harrah Detroit,  Mich. 

J.  N.  O.  Partridge '.  .  Fernandina,  Fla. 

Ernesto  Casaus  y  Almoina Galveston,  Tex. 

Jos.  W.  Corry Gulfport,  Miss. 

Crescendo  Sacerio  y  Arencibia Jacksonville,  Fla. 

Henry  Clay  McDougal Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Antonio  Diaz  Carrasco Key  West,  Fla. 

Richard  P.  Cane Louisville,  Ky. 

James  Pennie Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Ramon  L.  Bonachea  y  Sarduy Mobile,  Ala. 

Gustavo  Marin  Herrera Mayaguez,  P.  R. 

Leopoldo  Dolz,  Consul-General New  York,  N.  Y. 

Felipe  Taboada,  Consul New  York,  N.  Y. 


23  The  Republic  of  Cuba 


Romarico  Seva,  Vice-Consul New  York,  N.  Y. 

Jose  R.  Cabrera New  Orleans,  La. 

Tomas  Estrada  Palma Newport  News,  Va. 

Gaspar  de  la  Vega Norfolk,  Va. 

Manuel  Leon  Ross Pascagoula,  Miss. 

Vincent  J.  Vidal Pensacola,  Fla. 

J.  J.  Luis  y  Alcazar Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Francisco  Porto Ponce,  P.  R. 

Buenaventura  E.  Puyans San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Augusto  Aguilera St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Jose  Caminero San  Juan,  P.  R. 

Arthur  J.  Howard Savannah,  Ga. 

Rafael  Martinez  Ibor Tampa,  Fla. 

UNITED  STATES  CONSULAR  CORPS  IN  CUBA 

George  Bayliss,  Consular  Agent Antilla. 

Augusto  Soler,  Consular  Agent Baracoa. 

P.  B.  Anderson,  Consular  Agent Caibarien. 

George  A.  Brenneis,  Consular  Agent Cardenas. 

Richard  M.  Bartleman,  Consul Cienfuegos. 

Buenaventura  Carbo,  Vice  and  Dep.  Con.  .  .Cienfuegos. 

Clinton  B.  Goodrich,  Consular  Agent Guantanamo. 

James  Linn  Rodgers,  Consul  General Havana. 

Joseph  A.  Springer,  Vice  and  Dep.  Con.  Gen. .Havana. 
Raoul  F.Washington,  Dep.  Consul  General.  .Havana. 

Francis  B.  Bertot,  Consular  Agent Manzanillo. 

Alfred  Heydrich,  Consular  Agent Matanzas. 

V.  P.  Sutherland,  Consular  Agent Nueva  Gerona(I.  of  P.) 

Dean  R.  Wood,  Consular  Agent Nuevitas. 

John  F.  Jova,  Consular  Agent Sagua  la  Grande. 

P.  Merril  Griffith,  Consul Santiago  de  Cuba. 

Harry  C.  Morgan,  Vice  and  Dep.  Con Santiago  de  Cuba. 

James  H.  Dod,  Consular  Agent Santa  Clara. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  24 

THE  ARMY  OF  CUBA 

The  Army  of  Cuba  consists  of  about  12,000 
men,  of  which  about  1  1,400  are  enlisted  men  and 
600  officers. 

The  subdivisions  are:  General  Staff,  6  Cavalry 
Regiments,  one  Infantry  Regiment,  one  Artillery 
Regiment,  Medical  and  Veterinary  Department 
and  Auditor's  Department. 

In  times  of  peace,  six  squadrons  of  150  men  each, 
of  each  of  the  six  cavalry  regiments  are  utilized 
for  the  preservation  of  public  order  and  protec- 
tion of  persons  and  properties  outside  of  the 
townships,  while  the  balance  of  the  army  is 
employed  exclusively  in  military  services. 

The  Republic  is  divided  into  eight  military 
districts,  six  of  which  are  made  up  by  the  six 
provinces,  with  one  regiment  of  cavalry  each, 
one  by  the  camp  of  Columbia,  with  the  infantry 
regiment,  and  one  by  the  military  posts  of 
la  Cabana,  la  Fuerza,  Batteries  1,  2,  3,  4  and  5 
Velasco  and  Santa  Clara,  Habana,  with  the 
artillery  regiment.  The  command  of  each  mili- 
tary district  corresponds  to  the  command  of  the 
military  unit  there  garrisoned. 

The  army  is  well  equipped  and  highly  efficient. 
The  regulations  are  practically  those  of  the 
United  States  Army  and  for  several  years  after 
the  American  occupation,  American  officer- 
instructors  were  used  in  its  upbuilding  and 
organization.  This  small  but  efficient  force  may 
co-ordinate  with  the  army  of  the  United  States 
in  case  of  necessity.  The  ordnance  standard  is 
the  same  as  that  of  the  United  States  Army  and 
the  uniforms  are  very  similar  to  those  employed 
in  our  regular  army.  The  artillery  is  equipped 
with  the  famous  Schneider-Creuzot,  75mm, 
French  Army  model  rapid  fire  guns. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


POLICE   FORCE 

The  City  of  Havana  typifies  the  high  efficiency 
of  local  policing.  When  one  considers  that  a  city 
of  some  400,000  people  has  an  average  of  some 
2,000  policemen,  it  must  be  evident  that  the  work 
is  effective. 

Quite  a  number  of  this  force  is  employed 
in  handling  the  traffic  of  Havana  and  in  main- 
taining order  in  the  crowded  streets.  This  force 
is  commanded  by  General  Armando  Sanchez 
Agramonte,  Chief  of  the  National  Police,  with 
a  staff  of  Captains,  Lieutenants,  Sergeants,  etc. 
The  men  of  this  organization  were  selected  from 
those  who  displayed  cool-headedness  and  bravery 
during  the  War  of  Independence. 

THE  CUBAN  NAVY 

The  Cuban  Navy  is  not  large,  but  ample  to 
its  needs. 

A  total  of  twenty  vessels  with  a  tonnage  of 
5,921  and  a  total  crew,  including  the  staff, 
amounting  to  915. 

The  principal  object  of  this  force  is  to  patrol 
the  coast  in  the  interest  of  the  Revenue  Depart- 
ment and  keep  a  watchful  eye  on  the  fishing  and 
sponge  fleets  in  certain  restricted  seasons. 

The  revenue-cutter  service  was  organized  in 
May,  1902,  under  the  direction  of  Capt.  George 
Reno,  present  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Information. 
On  August  20,  1910,  Senor  Julio  Morales  Coello, 
Aide-de-camp  to  President  Gomez,  was  appointed 
Chief  of  the  National  Marine,  which  position  he 
still  occupies.  The  armament  of  the  larger  ves- 
sels is  modeled  on  that  of  the  United  States. 

The  "Cuba,"  with  a  tonnage  of  2,055,  nas 
served  in  many  diplomatic  naval  missions. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  26 

DEPARTMENT  OF  PRISONS 

Many  of  our  own  States  could  well  pattern 
after  the  efficient  system  employed  for  the  care 
of  indigents  in  Cuba. 

A  system  of  instruction,  sanitation,  workman- 
ship, recreation  and  discipline  has  been  built  up 
in  the  prisons,  which  raises  them  to  the  level  of 
the  best  establishments  of  the  kind  in  the  world. 

The  Department  of  Prisons  is  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Commissioner  General  Demetrio  Castillo 
Duany,  and  the  penitentiary,  situated  in  the  old 
Principe  Castle,  located  on  the  crest  of  a  hill 
overlooking  the  City  of  Havana  is  a  model 
institution  of  its  kind. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  IMMIGRATION 

The  station  for  immigrants,  located  at  "Tris- 
cornia,"  adjacent  to  the  City  of  Havana,  was 
built  for  the  exclusive  convenience  of  the  many 
immigrants  arriving  at  that  port,  and  its  main- 
tenance is  provided  for  by  the  Government 
without  profits,  at  the  insignificant  charge  of  20c 
per  day  from  each  immigrant. 

Very  many  good  rules  govern  Cuban  immigra- 
tion, among  which  may  be  mentioned,  that  no 
immigrant  may  land  who  comes  as  a  contracted 
laborer.  All  immigrants  are  examined  individu- 
ally by  the  inspector  on  board  the  incoming  ship 
and  admittance  may  be  refused  on  the  grounds 
of  contagious  diseases,  beggary,  lunacy,  or  lack 
of  sufficient  funds  for  proper  maintenance,  or 
mental  capacity. 

During  the  five  years,  1910-1915,  there  were 
35-8,189  passengers  who  passed  the  inspection  of 
this  department. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


LANDS,  TITLES  AND  TAXES 

Cuba  offers  a  great  opportunity  for  the  purchase 
of  large  bodies  of  lands  at  prices  comparatively 
small  with  those  in  force  in  the  United  States. 
Good  land  may  be  obtained  in  small  tracts  at 
from  $40.00  to  $100.00  per  acre,  and  there  are 
many  prosperous  communities  (made  up  almost 
entirely  of  Americans)  who  have  sought  the 
Island  as  their  place  of  permanent  residence. 

A  great  deal  of  care  should  be  exercised  in  the 
examination  of  titles  before  purchasing  lands  on 
the  Island,  and  the  prospective  purchaser  would 
do  well  to  have  titles  examined  by  a  reliable 
local  attorney. 

There  is  a  local  registrar  of  property  in  each 
of  the  districts  and  all  liens  against  property 
must  be  recorded  with  this  registrar  before  they 
become  effective  under  the  law. 

Land  titles  in  Cuba  are  exceptionally  good, 
and  if  proper  care  is  taken  in  the  acquiring  of 
property  no  person  need  every  worry  about  the 
title.  A  transfer  costs  more  in  Cuba  than  in 
the  United  States,  but  the  additional  cost  is  more 
than  justified  in  the  absolute  security  of  title 
when  transfer  is  properly  made. 

The  execution  of  a  deed  is  a  much  more  formal 
matter  in  Cuba  than  it  is  in  the  United  States. 
The  buyer  and  seller  must  appear  before  the 
notary  and  be  well  vouched  for.  Property  is 
described  by  the  boundaries  with  other  proper- 
ties, and  sometimes  the  bounds  stated  in  meters, 
and  the  tracts  are  said  to  contain  so  many 
"caballerias"  (33.16  acres  each).  The  notary 
must  see  the  money  paid;  and  if  he  does  not, 
and  the  vendor  acknowledges  its  receipt,  it  will 
be  so  stipulated  in  the  deed.     Both  contracting 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


28 


parties  sign  the  deed  with  necessary  witnesses. 
The  purchaser  does  not  receive  this  deed,  but  a 
copy  of  it,  which  is  furnished  by  the  notary  and 
another  copy  is  sent  to  the  National  Treasury, 
as  one  per  cent  of  the  purchase  price  of  all  trans- 
fers of  property  in  Cuba  must  be  paid  to  the 
State.  The  fees  for  registration  are  moderate  in 
every  case. 

PERTINENT  FACTS  ABOUT  CUBA 

(The  following  facts  are  detailed  at  length  in 
the  various  booklets  accompanying.  They  are 
only  given  here  for  quick  reference) : 

The  Island  is  approximately  760  miles  long. 

Cuba's  sea  coast  is  approximately  2,000  miles 
long,  with  more  fine  deep  water  harbors  than  any 
other  country  in  the  Western  Hemisphere. 

Total  Foreign  Commerce  (1915)  over $409,000,000.00 

Exports  for  year  ending  in  December,  1915 254,292,000.00 

Imports  for  fiscal  year  ending  December,  191 5 155,448,000.00 

Balance  of  trade  in  favor  of  Cuba , 98,844,000.00 

Balance  of  trade  per  capita 39-54 

Foreign  exports  of  Cuba  per  capita 101  .72 

Foreign  imports  of  Cuba  per  capita 62.18 

Foreign  exports  of  United  States  per  capita 22  .00 

Foreign  imports  of  United  States  per  capita 17.00 

Foreign  debt  of  Cuba  per  capita 27 .  50 

Foreign  debt  of  Great  Britain  per  capita 80.00 

Foreign  debt  of  France  per  capita 158  .00 

Foreign  debt  of  the  United  States  per  capita 10.00 


(Although  Cuba  has  a  larger  per  capita  debt 
than  the  United  States,  her  per  capita  foreign 
commerce  is  500  per  cent  higher  than  that  of  the 
United  States.) 

Her  tobacco  yield  is  valued  at  $25,000,000.00 
in  1 91 6. 

Although  the  groves  are  young,  citrus  fruits 
and  vegetables  produce  $5, 000,000.00  annually. 


29  The  Republic  of  Cuba 

Pineapples,  cacao,  honey,  asphalt,  iron,  hene- 
quen,  mahogany,  cedar,  etc.,  yield  $10,000,000.00. 

Its  exports  have  increased  in  ten  years  150  per 
cent. 

Its  imports  have  increased  in  ten  years  82  per 
cent. 

All  but  19  per  cent  of  Cuba's  exports 
($254,292,000.00)  go  to  the  United  States. 

67^  per  cent  of  Cuba's  imports 
($155,448,000.00)  come  from   the  United  States. 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  Republic  (1902) 
Cuba's  Foreign  Commerce  has  increased  250  per 
cent. 

Cuba  has  1,246  miles  of  magnificent  shaded 
auto  roads  or  driveways. 

Range  of  temperature  (mean)  12  degrees 
Fahrenheit. 

January  average,  70.3.  July,  82.4  degrees. 
Extremes,  60  to  92. 

Average  rainfall,  54  inches.  Dry  in  winter; 
showers  in  summer. 

Population,  2,500,000.  Yearly  increase,  about 
75,000. 

Excess  of  births  over  deaths,  40,000. 

i\verage  yearly  immigration,  37,000. 

70  per  cent  of  population  white,  30  per  cent 
colored. 

Permanent  schools,  4,01 1 .     Teachers,  4,1 1 1. 

There  are  2,360  miles  of  railroads  in  Cuba, 
with  200  miles  of  electric  railways. 

22  steamers  a  week  to  the  United  States. 

Sugar  cane  on  virgin  land  may  be  cut  for 
thirty  years  without  replanting. 

Tobacco  is  planted,  grown  and  gathered  in 
ninety  days. 

In  no  part  of  the  world  are  cattle,  horses  and 
stock  of  all  kinds  raised  with  greater  success. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  30 


Cuba  is  the  healthiest  country  in  the  world, 
as  the  figures  in  the  following  table,  giving  the 
number  of  deaths  per  thousand,  will  show: 

Cuba 12.70 

Australia 13  •  10 

Uruguay 13.40 

United  States 1 5  .00 

England 17.70 

Germany 17.80 

France 20 .  60 

Spain 29 .  70 

Cuba  has  but  $3  persons  to  the  square  mile, 
while  the  Bermuda  Islands  have  1,000;  Belgium, 
600;  Java,  595;  Rhode  Island,  500;  Holland,  454; 
England,  425;  Porto  Rico,  330;  Japan,  317; 
German  Empire,  315;  and  Italy,  310.  With  all 
her  natural  richness  this  island  can  easily  sustain 
more  inhabitants  per  square  mile  than  any  of 
the  above  mentioned  countries. 


31 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


RELIABLE  INFORMATION 

(Published  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  may  personally 

visit  Cuba) 

SPANISH— THE  UNIVERSAL  LANGUAGE 

Spanish  is  generally  spoken  throughout  Cuba, 
although  English  and  French  are  used  to  some 
extent.  Visitors  from  the  LInited  States  will  find 
little  difficulty  since  English  is  spoken  in  prac- 
tically all  the  hotels,  cafes  and  shops. 

LIST  OF  HOTELS 


Havana: 

Matanzas: 

Camaguey: 

America,  Gran 

Louvre 

Camaguey 

Americas,  Las 

Paris 

Gran 

Biscuit 

Sevilla 

Inglaterra 

Brooklyn 
Carabanchel 

Cardenas: 
Europa 
Isla  de  Cuba 

Norman 
Plaza 

Flor  de  Cuba 

Santiago  de  Cuba. 

Florida 

Louvre 

America 

Inglaterra 

Casa  Granda 

Isla  de  Cuba 

Santa  Clara: 

Imperial 

Jerezano,  El 

Santa  Clara 

Luz 

Louvre 

Telegrafo 

Suiza 

Luz 

Cienfuegos: 

Venus 

Maison  Royale 

Continental 

Guantanamo: 

Martinez 

Suiza 

Europa 

Miramar 

Union 

Washington 
Bayamo: 
Cuba 

Ohio  House 
Oriental 

Cruces: 

Palacio  Colon 

Reina  Victoria 

Paris 

Palacio  Vanderbilt 

Ruiz 

Pasaje 

Sagua  La  Grande: 

Manzanillo: 

Perla  de  Cuba 

Ezcurra 

Eden 

Plaza 

Paradero,  El 

Inglaterra 

Saratoga 

Plaza 

V.  de  las  Tunas: 

Sevilla 

Telegrafo 

Venus 

Telegrafo 

Caibarien: 

Holguin: 

Trotcha 

Comercio 

Holguin 

Union,  La. 

Union 

Isla  de  Cuba 

Pinar  Del  Rio: 

Sancti-Spiritus: 

Ciego  de  Avila: 

Gustavo 

Plaza 

Delicias 

Ricardo 

Isla  de  Cuba 

Sevilla 

The  Republic  of  Cuba  32 


Coballos:                       Neuva  Gerona,  I.  of  P.  Bibijagua,  I.  of  P. 

Coballos.                       Burnside  Mountain  Inn 

Nueviias:                         Jfsas  San  Pedro,  I.  of  P. 

New  York                 0  Unl°"     .      .  _  San  Pedro 
Santa  be,  I.  of  P. 

Antilla:                             Homestead  L°s  Indios,  I.  of  P. 

Antilla                           Santa  Fe  Los  Indios 

Madruga:                      Santa  Barbara,  I.  of  P.  La  Siguanea,  I.  of  P. 

Delicias  de  Copey       Santa  Barbara  Inn  Andora  Inn 

Baggage   will    be   attended   to  by    the   official 

interpreters  from  hotels.  This  will  save  the 
visitor  much  annoyance  in  conforming  to  cus- 
toms regulations. 


HAVANA  PARKS  AND  DRIVES 

Colon  Park.     Amistad  and  Reina  Streets. 

Central  Park.     Prado  Avenue. 

San  Juan  de  Dios  Park.     Aguiar  and  Empedrado  Streets. 

Trillo  Park.     Hospital  and  San  Rafael  Streets. 

Juan  Bruno  Zayas  Park.     Fronting  the  Post  Office. 

Cristo  Park.     Villegas  and  Teniente  Rey  Streets. 

Luz  Caballero  Park.     Carcel  Street. 

India  Park.     Prado  and  Dragones  Streets. 

Almeda  de  Paula.     San  Pedro  Streets. 

Prado  Avenue  Drive.     On  the  Prado. 

Plaza  de  Monserrate  Park.     Obispo  and  Monserrate  Streets. 

Carlos  III  Drive.     Belascoain  Avenue. 

Maceo  Park.     San  Lazaro  Avenue. 

Malecon.     End  of  the  Prado. 

Plaza  de  Armas  Park.     Obispo  and  O'Reilly  Streets. 

Medina  Park.     At  Vedado. 

Tulipan  Park.     At  Cerro. 


BAND  CONCERTS— HAVANA  PARKS 

Tuesdays    from  5  to    7  p.  m.  at  Malecon. 
Thursdays  from  8  to  10  p.  m.  at  Malecon. 
Fridays        from  8  to  10  p.  m.  at  Central  Park. 
Sundays      from  5  to    7  p.  m.  at  Malecon. 
Sundays      from  8  to  10.30  p.  m.  at  Malecon. 
Sundays      from  8  to  10  p.  m.  at  Central  Park. 


33  The  Republic  of  Cuba 


BANKS  OF  HAVANA 

Banco  Espanol  de  la  Isla  de  Cuba  (head  office  and  9  branches). 

Aguiar  81.     Phone  A-7231. 
The  National  Bank,  of  Cuba.     Obispo  y  Cuba.     Phone  A-2126. 
Royal  Bank  of  Canada.     Obrapia  33.     Phone  A-1141. 
The  National  City  Bank  of  New  York  (Antillas  Branch).     Cuba  76. 

Phone  A-2563. 
Trust  Co.  of  Cuba.     Obispo  53.     Phone  2822. 
H.  Hupmann  &  Co.     Amargura  1.     Phone  A-5518. 
Gelats  &  Co.     Aguiar  108.     Phone  A-4683. 
Alvarez  Valdes  &  Co.     Ricla  7-A.     Phone  3188. 
G.  Lawton  Childs  Co.     O'Reilly  4.     Phone  A-6578. 


RAILROAD  STATIONS  IN  HAVANA 

Cuba  Railroad. 
United  Railways  of  Havana. 
Havana  Central  Railways. 
Western  Railways  of  Havana. 
All  trains  depart  from  the  new 

CENTRAL  STATION 

Marianac  Railway,  trains  for  Country  Club, 
Racetrack,  Marianao  and  Beach,  every  10  min- 
utes from  Terminus,  at  corner  of  Galiano  and 
Zanja  Streets. 


STEAMSHIP  COMPANIES 

Peninsular  &  Occidental,  for  Key  West  and  Port  Tampa.     Bernaze  3. 

O'Reilly  4.     Phone  A-6578,  A-9191. 
Ward  Line,  for  New  York,  Nassau,  Progreso  and  Vera  Cruz.     Prado 

118.     Phone  A-6154. 
United  Fruit  Co.,"The  Great  White  Fleet,"  for  New  York,  Boston, 

New  Orleans,  Jamaica,  Panama,  Colombia  and  Costa 

Rica.     Lonja  del  Comercio.     Phone  A-5228. 
Southern  Pacific,  "Morgan  Line,"   for  New  Orleans.     Obispo  49. 

Phone  A-3032. 
Hamburg-American   Line,   for   Europe,   Vera   Cruz   and    Progreso. 

San  Ignacio  54.     Phone  A-4878. 
Spanish  Line,  for  Europe,  Mexico  and  Vera  Cruz.     San  Ignacio  72. 

Phone  A-6588. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  34 

North  German  Lloyd,  for  Europe.     San  Tgnacio  76.     Phone  A-2700. 
French   Line    for    Europe,   Progreso   and   Vera   Cruz.     Oficios   90. 

Phone  A- 1 476. 
The  Royal  Mail  Steam  Packet  Co.,  for  New  York,  Antilla,  Jamaica 

and  Panama.     Oficios  18.     Phone  A-6540. 
Herrera  Line,   for  North   Coast  of  Cuba.     San   Pedro  6.     Phone 

A-53!5- 

COASTWISE  STEAMERS 

Cuban  Steamship  Line  "Luis  Odriozola" 
(South  and  East  Bound) 

(Now  all  merged  into  Navigation  Corporation  of  Cuba — "Em- 
presa  Naviera  de  Cuba"). 

Havana  los  Indios,  Isle  of  Pines,  Cienfuegos,  Casilda,  Tunas  de 
Zaza,  Jucaro,  Santa  Cruz  del  Sur,  Guayabal,  Manzanillo,  Ensenada 
de  Mora  and  Santiago  de  Cuba;    also  Porto  Rico. 

Isle  of  Pines.  Trains  leave  Central  Station  at  6.15  p.  m.  Monday, 
Wednesday  and  Friday  for  Batabano,in  connection  with  the  steamers 
for  Isle  of  Pines.     Prado  118.     Phone  A-4034. 


CUBAN  TELEGRAPH  RATES 

Cuban  Telegraph  Service 

Operated  by  the  Government 

Entire  address  counted  as  part  of  telegram. 

Limits  of  3  provinces,  10  words  for  20c,  and  2c  each  added  word. 
Limits  of  4  provinces,  10  words  for  30c  and  4c  each  added  word. 
Limits  of  5  provinces,  10  words  for  40c  and  4c  each  added  word. 
Limits  of  6  provinces,  10  words  for  50c  and  5c  each  added  word. 

Telegrams  for  Newspapers  (subjects  of  general 
interest)  are  ic  per  word  to  all  parts  of  the  Island. 
Minimum  20  words. 

Telegrams  for  the  City  of  Havana  and  suburbs, 
ioc  each  10  words. 

Night  telegrams,  50  words,  50c.  Nightly 
received  between  8  to  10  p.  m. 


35 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


WESTERN  UNION 
THE  UNIT 

Per  Word 

Alabama 15 

Arizona 20 

Arkansas 20 

California 20 

Colorado 20 

Connecticut 15 

Delaware 15 

District  of  Columbia 15 

Florida,  Key  West 10 

The  other  stations 15 

Georgia 15 

Idaho 20 

Illinois 15 

Indiana 15 

Indian  Territory 20 

Iowa 20 

Kansas 20 

Kentucky 15 

New  Orleans  and  Baton 

Rouge 15 

The  other  stations 20 

Maine 15 

Manitoba 20 

Maryland 15 

Massachusetts 15 

Michigan 15 

Minnesota,  Minneapolis  and 

St.  Paul K 

The  other  stations 20 


CABLE  TARIFF  TO 
ED  STATES 

Per  Word 

Mississippi 15 

Missouri,  St.  Louis 15 

The  other  stations 20 

Montana 20 

Nebraska 20 

Nevada 20 

New  Hampshire 15 

New  Jersey 15 

New  Mexico 20 

New  York 15 

North  Carolina 15 

North  Dakota 20 

Ohio 15 

Oklahoma 20 

Oregon 20 

Pennsylvania 15 

Rhode  Island 15 

South  Carolina 15 

South  Dakota 20 

Tennessee 15 

Texas 20 

Utah 20 

Vermont 15 

Virginia 15 

Washington 20 

West  Virginia 15 

Wisconsin 15 

Wyoming 20 


TARIFF  OF  AUTOMOBILE  CAB  SERVICE, 

HAVANA 

Fron  one  point  to  another  in  the  city,  not  passing  the  Calzada 
de  Belascoain  first  zone,  from  east  to  west,  same  passing 

the  city  from  north  to  south,  for  one  or  two  persons $0.20 

For  three  persons 25 

For  four  persons 30 

If  first  zone  (Belascoain  Ave.)  is  passed  and  not  the  second, 

limited  by  Infanta  St.,  one  or  two  persons 20 

For  three  persons 30 

For  four  persons 35 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  36 


Passing  the  second  zone  to  the  Quinta  de  los   Molinos  and 
bridge  of  the  Agua  Dulce  on  Principe  Street,  one  or  two 

persons 4° 

Three  persons 45 

Four  persons 5° 

For  business  purpose,  per  hour: 

For  two  persons i  ■  25 

For  three  persons l  ■  3  5 

For  four  persons l  -45 

For  pleasure — per  hour,  in  any  direction: 

For  two  persons 2  .oo 

For  three  persons 2  •  25 

For  four  persons -  ■  5° 

To  the  Colon  Cemetery  and  return i  •  6o 

To  Vedado — from  one  to  three  persons 90 

To  Carmelo — from  one  to  three  persons 1  00 

To  Vedado  or  Carmelo  and  return — from  one  to  three  persons   1  .50 

To  Cerro  up  to  Palatino — for  two  persons 1  .00 

Ten  cents  for  each  additional  person. 

To  Cerro  up  to  Palatino  and  return — for  two  persons 1  .  50 

Ten  cents  for  each  additional  person. 

Jesus  del  Monte  up  to  corner  of  Toyo — for  two  persons 60 

Ten  cents  for  each  additional  person. 

To  Jesus  del  Monte  and  return — for  two  persons 1 

At  any  of  the  five  points  the  automobile  is  obliged  to  wait 
ten  minutes  without  any  extra  charge  to  its  occupants. 


00 


HACK  FARES,  HAVANA 

1  From  one  point  to  another  in  City,  not  passing  the  Calzada 
de  Belascoain,  first  zone,  from  east  to  west,  same  passing 
the  city  from  north  to  south,  for  one  or  two  persons. .  .$0.10 

1     For  three  persons 25 

3  For  four  persons ■ .1° 

4  If  first  zone  (Belascoain  Ave.)  is  passed  and  not  the  second, 

limited  by  Infanta  St.,  one  or  two  persons 25 

5  For  three  persons 3° 

6  For  four  persons 35 

Carriages  taken  for  going  and  return  journeys 
in  any  of  the  six  points  mentioned  above  will 
wait  30  minutes  at  the  end  of  the  going  journey. 
Coachmen  cannot  be  compelled  to  go  beyond  the 
second  zone  after  9  p.  m. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


After  1 1  p.  m.  and  until  6  a.  m.,  all  fares  double. 

All  journeys  not  specified  in  this  tariff  will  be 
paid  by  previous  arrangement. 

Tourists  who  wish  to  avoid  all  difficulties 
with  cabmen  should  never  engage  a  public  car- 
riage for  a  long  drive  without  previously,  through 
a  hotel  interpreter,  or  clerk,  having  come  to  an 
agreement  with  the  coachmen  as  to  the  route  to 
be  taken,  the  stops  to  be  made,  and  the  amount  to 
be  paid  at  the  end  of  the  trip.  Coachmen  are 
human,  and  there  is  no  fixed  tariff  for  special 
long  drives. 

Also,  the  law  sets  the  price  of  a  carriage  hired 
by  the  hour,  for  business  purposes,  at  $1.25,  for 
one  or  two  persons,  but  the  cabman  is  accustomed 
to  receive  $1.50,  and  his  services  are  well  worth  it. 

When  engaging  a  carriage  for  driving  by  the 
hour  the  tourist  will  do  well  to  specify,  through 
the  hotel  clerk,  or  interpreter,  how  long  he  wants 
the  conveyance,  and  to  see  the  time  on  starting, 
as  the  coachmen  do  not  understand  English,  and 
by  doing  this  will  avoid  all  the  difficulties  with 
cabmen. 

POINTS  OF  INTEREST  IN  AND  AROUND 

HAVANA 

President's  Palace,  Visiting  Red  and  Blue  Rooms. 

Colon  Cathedral  at  the  Tomb  of  Columbus. 

Palace  of  State  and  Justice. 

United  States  Legation. 

Colon  Cemetery,  inaugurated  1868. 

Almendares  Base  Ball  Park — Former  Bull  Ring. 

Vedado  (meaning  forbidden),  Havana's  Fashionable  Suburb. 

Cigar  Factory. 

Central  Park. 

Monserrate  Street. 

Empedrado  Street. 

San  Juan  de  Dios  Park. 

Plaza  de  Armas — Army  Park. 


The  Re  public  of  Cuba  38 


Templete — Memorial  Chapel  to  Columbus,  1828. 
La  Fuerza  Fortress,  built  1538,  oldest  in  New  World. 
Senate  Building. 
Merced  Church,  built  1782. 
Neptune  Park. 
La  Punta  Park  and  Fortress. 
Carcel — The  City  Jail. 

Malecon — Havana's  Fashionable  Driveway. 
Beneficencia — Orphan  Asylum. 
Federal  Prison — Santa  Clara  Battery. 
Botanical  Gardens  of  the  University  of  Havana. 
Tacon  Market — built  1836 — one  of  the  largest  in  the  world. 
Colon  Park — India  Park — Prado. 
Clerk's  Club — Produce  Exchange  Building. 
Centro  Gallego's  Club — has  40,000  membership. 
San  Francisco  Convent — Albear  Statue,  erected  1887. 
Vento  Springs — Havana's  water  supply. 
Mazorra — Insane  Asylum. 
Tobacco  Fields. 
Orange  Groves. 
El  Cano — an  old  town. 
Toledo  Sugar  Mill — Marianoa. 
Castle  of  Madame  Abreu. 
Carlos  III  Avenue. 
Palatino  Park,  Palatino  Reservoir. 
Almendares  River. 

Albear's  Canal.  , 

Block  Houses. 
La  Lisa  Bridge. 
Morro  Castle,  built  in  1587. 
Cabanas  Fortress,  built  in  1763. 
Atares  Castle,  built  in  1763. 
Principe  Fortress,  built  in  1774. 
Torreon  de  la  Chorrera,  built  in  1646. 
Tower  de  San  Lazaro,  built  in  1536. 
Student's  Memorial,  built  in  1871. 
Charity  Asylum,  founded  in  1794. 
Belen  Observatory,  founded  in  1704. 
The  Aldama  Palace,  built  in  i860. 
Paseo  de  Tacon,  built  in  1835. 
Obispo  and  O'Reilly  Streets,  founded  in  1763. 
Guanabacoa  Town,  founded  in  the  1 6th  century. 
Terminal  Station,  with  all  R.  R.  lines,  iqi2 
Congress  Building. 

The  old  San  Francisco  Convent  and  Church,  in  which  the 
General  Post  Office  is  now  installed. 


39  The  Republic  of  Cuba 


Cock  Pit — Havana. 

Country  Club. 

The  Agricultural  Station  at  Santiago  de  las  Vegas. 

Marianao — town  18,000. 

Arroyo  Arenas. 

Quemados — sub.  of  Marianao. 

La  Playa  Bathing  Beach. 

Camp  Columbia — original  camp  of  the  United  States  Army, 

now  permanent  barracks  of  the  Cuban  Army. 
Monuments  to  American  Soldiers  who  died  during  Spanish 

War. 
Race  Course. 
Power  House — Havana  Electric  Railway. 

Morro  Castle  and  Cabanas  Fortress 

Visiting  the  cells  and  dungeons  in  which  Cuban 
political  prisoners  were  kept  and  afterward  shot, 
at  the  memorial  "Laurel  Ditch"  and  the  place 
where  the  commander  Velazquez  fell  fighting 
against  England  in  1762. 

Seeing   Havana    and   Its    Suburbs,    a   Typical 
One  Day  Trip 

Visiting  Obispo  St.,  Columbus  Cathedral, 
Senate,  Presidential  Palace,  Memorial  Chapel, 
La  Fuerza,  Merced  Church,  Tacon  Market, 
Botanical  Garden,  General  Weyler's  Summer 
Palace,  Colon  Cemetery,  Cigar  Factory,  Vedado, 
Havana's  Aristocratic  Suburb,  Orphan  Asylum, 
Malecon  Drive,  the  Prado,  and  other  places  of 
interest. 

Country  Trip  in   Automobile,  40  Miles   Round 

Trip 

A  delightful  trip  affording  a  fine  view  of  Cuban 
landscape,  with  its  abundance  of  sugar,  tobacco, 
banana  and  pineapple  plantations,  orange  and 
cocoanut  groves,  Marianao,  Camp  Columbia  and 
Vento  Springs. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  40 

To  Providencia  Sugar  Mill  and  Plantation 
A  delightful  and  popular  excursion  of  70  miles 
ride  by  modern  electric  railroad,  through  some  of 
Cuba's  most  charming  rural  scenery;  visitors  are 
enabled  to  see  in  operation  the  very  latest  methods 
for  extracting  raw  sugar  from  the  cane. 

To  Mantanzas 

Sixty  miles  eastward  from  Havana,  through 
extensive  sugar  cane  fields  and  many  other  beau- 
tiful scenes. 

A  daily  excursion  organized  by  the  United 
Railways  of  Havana,  includes  first  class  passage 
on  train,  round  trip.  Luncheon  in  Mantanzas, 
carriage  drive  to  Hermitage  of  Monserrato, 
overlooking  Yumuri  Valley  and  a  visit  to  the 
Bellamar  Caves — a  fine  specimen  of  cave  which 
has  caused  the  admiration  of  tourists  from  all 
parts  of  the  world. 

WHAT  THE  TOURIST  CAN  TAKE  HOME 

In  response  to  an  inquiry  of  the  United  States 
Custom  Officials  of  just  what  can  be  bought  in 
Cuba  up  to  the  value  of  $100.00  and  taken  to 
the  United  States  without  paying  duty,  the 
Treasury  Department  of  the  United  States  has 
declared: 

"Said  exemption  ($100.00)  should  be  confined 
to  such  articles  in  the  nature  of  personal  and 
household  effects,  curios,  souvenirs,  wearing 
apparel,  made  up  or  unmade,  table  linen,  china- 
ware,  etc." 

This  exemption  includes  the  following  things 
which  are  in  such  demand  among  all  tourists 
visiting  Cuba: 


41  The  Republic  of  Cuba 

Hand-made  laces,  table  linen  and  embroideries, 
bed  linen,  dresses,  made  and  unmade,  fans, 
antique  furniture,  bric-a-brac,  chinaware,  sou- 
venirs of  all  kinds  and  panama  hats. 

Fifty  cigars  or  300  cigarettes,  or  3  pounds  of 
manufactured  smoking  tobacco  may  be  taken 
into  the  United  States  by  each  passenger  free 
of  duty.  Quantities  in  excess  of  this  allowance 
will  be  required  to  pay  duty.  The  above  allow- 
ance  is   in    addition    to    the   $100.00  exemption. 

SPECIAL  NOTICE 

Every  tourist  is  warned  that  although  an 
aigrette  or  feather  from  any  wild  bird  is  brought 
from  the  United  States,  it  cannot  be  taken  back 
there.  This  prohibition  does  not  include  ostrich 
plumes  nor  those  of  any  domestic  fowl. 

FOREIGN  LEGATIONS,  ETC. 

Germany Virtudes  2 

Argentina Calle  15  No.  302 

Austria-Hungary Cuba  64 

Belgium San  Lazaro  243 

Bolivia Jesus  Maria  49 

Brazil Calle  13 

Chile Aguiar  116 

China Amistad  128 

Colombia Paseo  16 

Costa  Rica San  Miguel  120 

Denmark Habana  and  Obrapia 

El  Salvador O'Reilly  11 

Equador Calle  16 

Spain Prado  68 

United  States  of  America Banco  Nacional  505 

France Calle  F  y  15,  Vedado 

Great  Britain San  Juan  de  Dios  I 

Greece Banco  National 

Guatemala Loaltad  1 1 6 

Haiti Calle  17  No.  347,Vedado 

Honduras San  Ignacio  106 

Italy Cuba  48 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  42 


Mexico Compostela  145 

Monaco Oficios  1 8 

Nicaragua San  Ignacio  30 

Norway Lonja  del  Comercio  443 

Panama Calzada  90,  Vedado 

Netherlands Amargura  6 

Paraguay Oficios  36 

Peru.  .  .' H.  No.  138 

Portugal Virtudes  74 

Russia Banco  Nacional 

Santo  Domingo Calle  2  y  25,  Vedado 

Sweden Amargura  6 

Uruguay Consulado  32 

Venezuela   San  Ignacio  ~j(i]/2 

ISLE  OF  PINES 

Population,  4,515  Inhabitants 

Nothing  could  be  more  beautiful  than  a  moon- 
light sail  across  the  Caribbean  from  Cuba,  or  a 
beautiful  sunset  on  the  way  to  Batabano  from 
Havana,  via  the  United  Railways  of  Havana,  or 
at  Nueva  Gerona  with  the  quaintness  of  the  spot 
and  the  balmy  climate  so  invigorating. 

Almost  surrounded  by  the  green  and  inviting 
mountains  of  Sierra  de  las  Casas,  and  the  Sierra 
de  Caballas  lies  Nueva  Gerona,  the  Capital  City 
of  the  Isle  of  Pines. 

These  ranges  of  Las  Casas  and  De  Caballas 
have  profitable  marble  quarries,  which  have  been 
worked  from  earliest  times. 

The  automobile  roads  all  over  this  tropical 
island  are  very  good,  and  the  sea  (never  far  away) 
invites  one  to  its  shores.  On  the  south  coast 
beautiful  concha  shells  are  found  in  abundance. 
Fishing  in  portions  of  the  Island  is  a  pleasant 
pastime  to  many  visitors.  At  Nueva  Gerona 
there  is  a  first-class,  up-to-date  hotel,  from  the 
upper  balcony  of  which  the  view  of  the  sea,  river 
and  mountains  is  charming. 


43  The  Republic  of  Cuba 

There  are  springs  of  mineral  waters,  chiefly 
magnesia,  in  the  Island,  much  of  which  is  bottled 
and  enjoys  fame  and  a  large  sale  throughout 
Cuba.  In  fact,  mineral  water  today  constitutes 
one  of  the  principal  items  of  the  exports  of  the 
Island. 

Plying  between  Batabano  and  the  Isle  of  Pines 
is  the  steamer  Cristobal  Colon  which  was  espe- 
cially built  for  this  service.  One  desiring  to  take 
this  trip  may  leave  Havana  on  the  evening  of 
Mondays,  Wednesdays  and  Fridays;  by  train  to 
Batabano  leaving  the  new  Central  Station  at 
6.10  p.  m.  and  reaching  Nueva  Gerona  early  the 
next  morning. 

Fare  from  Havana  to  the  Isle  of  Pines  is  $6.00, 
exclusive  of  meals  and  berth  on  steamer,  and 
$10.50  round  trip.     Ticket  valid  for  15  days. 

MADRUGA 

Population,  3,200  Inhabitants 

Another  charming  excursion  may  be  made  to 
the  town  of  Madruga,  which  can  be  reached  in 
a  few  hours'  time  from  Havana.  It  is  a  typical 
Cuban  Village,  nestling  among  a  pleasant  group 
of  hills,  and  has  been  famous  for  generations  in 
Cuba  for  valuable  sulphur  and  iron  springs 
which  abound  there.  There  are  bathing  estab- 
lishments in  this  town  so  that  the  healing  waters 
may  be  advantageously  enjoyed  by  the  visitors. 
The  drinking  water,  also,  known  as  "Copey," 
enjoys  equal  fame,  and  is  highly  recommended 
for  disorders  of  the  digestive  organs.  There  is 
no  doubt  that  on  account  of  its  excellent  location 
and  its  close  proximity  to  Havana,  Madruga  is 
a  town  with  a  great  future  before  it.  Already, 
very  desirable  hotel  accommodations  may  be  had 
there  the  year  round. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  44 

SANTA  CLARA 

Population,  48,000  Inhabitants 
The  city  of  Santa  Clara  is  the  second  inland 
town  of  Cuba  in  point  of  size  and  importance. 
The  air  and  soil  here  are  remarkably  dry,  and  the 
atmosphere  the  clearest  of  the  Island,  which  may 
account  tor  the  exceptional  beauty  for  which  its 
women  are  famous.  It  has  always  been  a  city 
of  much  wealth,  and  the  visitor  will  discover  in 
it  some  features  entirely  unique.  Very  interest- 
ing side  trips  to  Sagua,  Caibarien,  Remodios, 
Cienfuegos  and  other  points  on  the  Cuban 
Central  Railway  may  be  made  from  Santa  Clara. 

MATANZAS 

Population,  75,000  Inhabitants 

Of  all  the  many  excursions  from  Havana  the 
most  popular  and  interesting  is  that  to  the 
beautiful  city  of  Matanzas,  sixty  miles  eastward 
from  the  Capital,  and  possessing  all  the  quaint 
and  foreign  aspects  that  are  so' characteristic  of 
Cuban  cities  and  the  same  time  is  unusually 
rich  in  picturesque  surroundings. 

The  beautiful  valley  of  the  Yumuri,  which 
elicited  such  unstinted  praise  from  the  great 
Humboldt;  the  wonderful  and  dense  tropical 
vegetation  on  the  upper  reaches  of  the  Canimar 
River  and  its  tributary,  the  Moreto;  the  won- 
derful Caves  of  Bellamar,  the  subterranean 
wonderland,  several  miles  in  extent,  lined  with 
beautiful  crystal  formations  of  stalactites  and 
stalagmites,  in  which  electric  lights  strike  a 
thousand  sparks,  and  gleam  in  pools  of  profound 
depths.  Its  explored  length  is  three  miles;  there 
arc  bridges  and  paths,  and  the  place  is  well  kept 
and  shown. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


Yumuri  Valley  and  the  Caves  of  Bellamar  are 
the  "Show  places"  of  Matanzas.  To  see  either 
alone  is  well  worth  the  journey  to  Cuba,  and  both 
together  form  an  attraction  doubly  strong. 

So  charming  a  city  is  Matanzas  that  every 
tourist  should,  if  possible,  make  a  stay  there  of 
several  days;  they  will  find  suitable  accommoda- 
tion at  the  hotels  given  in  the  list  on  page  31. 

For  those  who  may  not  be  able  to  spend  more 
than  one  day  in  Matanzas,  the  United  Railways 
of  Havana  have  arranged  to  run  during  the 
tourist  season,  commencing  early  in  January,  a 
daily  personally-conducted  excursion,  leaving  the 
new'  Central  Station  at  8.15  a.  m.,  in  charge  of 
an  English-speaking  guide  and  lecturer,  and 
reaching  Havana  at  5.54  p.  m.  on  the  return  trip. 

This  excursion,  which  has  become  the  most 
popular  in  Cuba,  includes  first-class  railway  fare 
to  and  from  Matanzas,  luncheon  at  Matanzas, 
coach  rides  to  Monserrate  overlooking  the  Yu- 
muri Valley,  about  the  city,  along  the  beautiful 
promenade  skirting  the  bay,  and  to  the  Caves 
of  Bellamar,  and  back  to  the  station,  together 
with  admission  to  the  caves,  for  the  price  of  $8.00. 
Children  under  twelve,  $4.00.  Tickets  are  on 
sale  at  the  Inglaterra  Hotel,  at  the  Central 
Station,  and  the  City  Ticket  Office  of  the  United 
Railways  of  Havana,  Prado  118  (Central  Park), 
Havana. 

CAIBARIEN 

Population,  12,000  Inhabitants 

Caibarien  is  also  a  most  important  port,  and 
is  the  outlet  for  several  large  sugar  mills  in  its 
vicinity.  Through  it  are  also  exported  large 
quantities  of  tobacco  from  the  important  tobacco 
centers  of  Camajuani,   Remedios   and   Placetas, 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  46 

all  large,  prosperous  towns  and  offering  something 
of  interest  each  in  its  own  way.  The  Cuban 
Central  Railway  have  both  broad  and  narrow 
gauge  runs  through  some  of  the  prettiest  scenery 
imaginable  and  is  a  trip  which  should  certainly 
not  be  missed.  Sugar  mills,  cane  fields  and 
banana  groves,  can  be  seen  at  frequent  intervals, 
and  the  view  from  the  rear  platform  of  the  train 
when  one  has  proceeded  a  little  way  on  the 
journey,  embracing  as  it  does  the  wide  blue  ocean 
and  Caribarien  Bay,  is  one  that  will  always  be 
remembered. 

PINAR  DEL  RIO 

(Capital  of  Province  of  Same  Name) 
Population,  53,000  Inhabitants 

Famed  as  Havana  is,  as  the  home  of  the  most 
fragrant  and  delectable  of  all  cigars,  no  less 
famous  to  the  more  initiated  is  "Vuelta  Abajo," 
the  name  of  the  district  in  Western  Pinar  Del 
Rio  Province  where  grows  the  best  and  most 
aromatic  leaf,  to  which  superior  grade  of  tobacco 
this  name  is  given. 

The  Western  Railways  of  Havana  extend 
nearly  the  whole  length  of  the  Province  of  Pinar 
Del  Rio,  and  offer  exceptionally  interesting  excur- 
sions, notably  among  which  are  those  to  Rancho 
Boyeros  and  Santiago  de  las  Vegas,  where  much 
American  capital  has  been  invested  in  the  culti- 
vation of  citrus  fruits.  Santiago  de  las  Vegas 
is  also  interesting  as  the  location  of  the  National 
Agronomical  Agricultural  Experimental  Station 
of  Cuba. 

Pinar  del  Rio,  the  Capital  of  the  Province,  is 
an  excellent  place  to  make  one's  headquarters, 
from  which  to  make  delightful  rides  or  automobile 
excursions    through    the    great    tobacco    country 


47  The  Republic  of  Cuba 

west,  and  north  to  the  charming  Vinales  Valley. 
There  are  good  hotels,  and  several  days  may  be 
spent  with  comfort.  Tourists  may  avail  them- 
selves of  the  reduced  round  trip  rates  in  force 
during  the  winter  season. 

CIENFUEGOS 

Population,  75,000  Inhabitants 

Cienfuegos  was  founded  by  Don  Luis  Clouet 
in  1 5 19.  The  city  is  modern  in  character,  with 
streets  forty-five  feet  wide,  and  is  one  of  the 
busiest  and  most  enterprising  towns  in  Cuba. 
Near  it  are  several  well-equipped  sugar  mills. 
Cienfuegos  Bay,  eleven  miles  long  and  from  four 
to  five  in  width,  forms  one  of  the  finest  natural 
harbors  in  the  world,  with  room  for  a  thousand 
ships.  The  city  possesses  a  very  fine  Cathedral, 
and  the  Terry  Theatre,  close  to  the  Plaza, 
decorated  with  laurel  and  royal  palms  makes  one 
of  the  prettiest  plazas  of  Cuba. 

Punta  Gorda  is  a  charming  residential  suburb 
and  equally  delightful  are  the  colonies  at  Cayo 
Carenas.  Jagua  Castle,  a  picturesque  fortifica- 
tion bequeathed  to  Cuba  by  the  artist-builders 
of  the  time  of  Philip  V  of  Spain,  was  constructed 
to  protect  the  harbor  from  pirates  which  infested 
these  waters  in  the  olden  days.  To  meet  the 
requirements  of  the  increasing  traffic  between 
Havana  and  Cienfuegos,  the  United  Railways  of 
Havana  recently  inaugurated  a  new  direct  service 
of  trains,  for  which  entirely  new  equipment, 
including  comfortable  sleeping  cars,  were  con- 
structed. These  trains  southbound,  leave  Havana 
at  10.30  p.  m.  daily  and  arrive  in  Cienfuegos 
at  7.17  a.  m.  next  day.  And  northbound,  they 
leave  Cienfuegos  daily  at  10  p.  m.  and  arrive  in 
Havana  at  6.20  a.  m. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba 


48 


A  convenient  service  of  day  trains  in  both 
directions  is  maintained  via  Santa  Domingo,  at 
which  point  passengers  change  trains.  The  fares 
on  the  night  direct  train  are  $8.69  first  class. 
Berth  in  sleeping  car  is  $3.00.  Section,  $6.00 
and  Drawing  Room,  $10.00.  On  the  day  train 
Santo  Domingo  Route,  the  fares  are  $9.15  first 
class.  Tourist  round  trip  ticket  via  direct  night 
train,  $12.00,  valid  15  days  (in  tourist  season 
only). 

GUANTANAMO 

Population,  45,000  Inhabitants 

Guantanamo  is  reached  by  changing  trains  at 
San  Luis,  a  station  about  twenty  miles  north  of 
Santiago.  It  is  fast  becoming  a  point  of  con- 
siderable attraction  to  tourists  on  account  of  the 
United  States  Naval  Station  located  near  there. 
Tourists  bound  for  Guantanamo  are  recommended 
to  proceed  to  Santiago,  where'  there  are  modern 
hotels,  and  whence  they  can  leave  on  the  morning 
train  for  San  Luis,  where  it  connects  for  Guan- 
tanamo. First  class  fare  from  Havana,  $25.58; 
round  trip,  $42.02  (in  tourist  season  only). 

SAGUA  LA  GRANDE 

Population,  29,000  Inhabitants 

Sagua  la  Grande  is  on  the  river  of  the  same 
name,  which  is  one  of  the  most  important  of  the 
north  coast,  being  navigable  for  twenty  miles. 
It  has  always  been  a  city  of  some  wealth,  and  the 
visitor  will  discover  in  it  some  features  entirely 
unique. 


49  The  Republic  of  Cuba 

CAM  AGUE  Y 

Population,  68,000  Inhabitants 

Founded  in  151 5  by  order  of  Don  Diego 
Velazquez.  The  city  lies  on  a  plain  about  mid- 
way between  coasts,  550  feet  above  sea  level. 
Its  climate  in  winter  is  especially  ideal. 

The  city  of  Camaguey  looks  its  antiquity.  It 
is  full  of  quaint  and  picturesque  nooks  and 
corners.  The  projecting  window  grills,  the  heavy 
cornices  and  overhanging,  fluted  tile  roofs,  the 
tinajones  (earthenware  jars)  for  rain  water,  some- 
times of  immense  size,  make  a  succession  of 
attractive  pictures. 

Camaguey  Province  is  famous  as  a  grazing 
country.  The  cattle  industry  is  the  principal 
source  of  wealth.  There  are  also  valuable  timber 
lands;  and  honey  and  wax  are  exported.  Among 
the  attractions  of  Camaguey  are  its  time-worn 
churches;  the  most  interesting  is  La  Merced, 
built  in  1628,  by  missionaries  of  Our  Lady  of 
Mercy.  Its  high  altar  is  of  silver;  it  was 
fashioned  from  40,000  Spanish  dollars. 

The  Cuba  Railroad  Company  operates  the 
Hotel  "Camaguey."  It  occupies  with  its  gardens 
nearly  five  acres.  The  great  corridors  are  striking 
features,  and  the  inner  gardens  (patios)  bright  with 
foliage  plants  and  tropical  flowers,  are  very  beauti- 
ful. Almost  all  the  bedrooms  have  private  bath- 
rooms attached,  and  all  are  equipped  with  tele- 
phones, while  the  drainage,  plumbing  and 
sanitary  arrangements  throughout  are  perfect. 
Pure  water  is  provided  from  an  artesian  well. 
The  hotel  is  run  on  the  American  plan. 

Havana-Camaguey-Santiago  train. 

Leaves  Central  Station  (daily)  at  10.00  p.  m., 
arriving  next  day  at  Camaguey  12.30  p.  m.,  and 
at  Santiago,  9.45  p.  m. 


The  Republic  of  Cuba  50 

Havana-Camaguey  day  train  leaves  Central 
Station  (daily)  at  8.15  a.  m.,  arriving  Camaguey, 
10.30  p.  m.j  same  day.  First  class  fare,  $15.49. 
Round  trip,  $23.24  (in  tourist  season  only). 

SANTIAGO  DE  CUBA 

Population,  60,000  Inhabitants 

Founded  by  Velazquez  in  15 14.  Santiago  is 
the  second  most  interesting  city  in  Cuba,  not 
only  because  of  the  natural  beauty  of  its  situation, 
but  also  on  account  of  the  charm  of  its  history. 

It  was  from  Santiago  that  Gryjalva  set  out 
upon  the  voyage  in  the  course  of  which  he  dis- 
covered Yucatan,  and  from  here  sailed  Cortez 
on  the  1 8th  day  of  November,  1 5 1 8,  to  accomplish 
the  conquest  of  Mexico.  And  it  was  from 
Santiago  that  Cervera,  380  years  later,  went 
forth  with  his  fleet  to  destruction  on  that  fateful 
3rd  of  July,  1898,  which  marked  the  end  of 
Spanish  Domination  in  the  New  World. 

From  Santiago  a  macadam  road  leads  to  the  vil- 
lages of  Cuavitas  and  San  Vicente,  thence  it  winds 
up  the  face  of  a  mountain  and  crosses  the  Sierra 
Maestra  range  to  Dos  Caminos  and  San  Luis. 
From  the  crown  of  the  first  mountain  at  an 
elevation  of  1,526  feet  a  magnificent  view  of  the 
city  and  bay  of  Santiago  is  obtained — a  matchless 
panorama,  with  the  deep  blue  Caribbean  Sea 
in  the  far  back-ground. 

Santiago  contains  many  historic  points,  such 
as  the  Morro  Castle,  built  in  1664,  the  Peace 
Tree,  the  San  Juan  Hill;  El  Caney,  the  Cathedral, 
the  Cemetery  with  the  graves  of  the  distinguished 
Cuban  patriots,  Estrada  Palma,  Cespedes,  and 
Marti,  and  the  tomb  of  the  members  of  the 
Virginius    expedition    who    were    shot    by    the 


51  The  Republic  of  Cuba 

Spaniards.  Santiago  Harbor  is  six  miles  in 
length  and  three  wide,  with  the  narrow  entrance 
walled  in  by  the  surrounding  mountains. 

Houses  of  ancient  Spanish  type  abound,  and 
there  is  far  greater  wealth  of  coloring  of  buildings 
than  anywhere  else.  One  looks  down  steep, 
fantastically  colored  streets  and  over  red-tiled 
roofs  to  the  bay.  The  traveler  visiting  Santiago 
has  heretofore  been  inconvenienced  by  the  lack 
of  suitable  hotels  and  of  inadequate  steamship 
communication  between  Santiago  and  Jamaica. 
The  Cuba  Railroad  Company  has  made  these 
inconveniences  a  thing  of  the  past.  A  splendidly 
equipped  hotel  of  five  stories,  has  been  built 
and  is  operated  by  the  Railroad  Company  on  the 
site  occupied  by  the  old  "Casa  Granda."  The 
hotel  is  furnished  with  all  modern  conveniences, 
private  baths,  telephones,  ticket  and  baggage 
offices,  etc. 

The  Havana-Santiago  trains  carry  sleeping  cars 
and  an  observation  coach,  which  enable  the 
traveler  to  obtain  comprehensive  views  of  the 
country  traversed.  All  sleeping  cars  are  con- 
structed to  equal  the  highest  standard  of  those 
on  American  lines,  and  are  equipped  with  electric 
light  and  fans  and  every  modern  convenience. 
The  Havana-Santiago  Express  train  leaves  Cent- 
ral Station  every  night  at  10.00  o'clock  and 
arrives  at  Santiago  the  next  day  at  9.45  p.  m. 
Fare,  first  class,  $24.00.  Round  trip,  $36.17  (in 
tourist  season  only). 

We  will  be  pleased  to  supply  further  informa- 
tion regarding  Cuban  conditions. 

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